A YOUNG mum who was attacked and raped by the father of her child after she discovered he was a convicted paedophile has spoken of her ordeal.

When Andrew Moore, 62, moved away from North Wales, he thought he could escape his dark past after serving six years in prison for the sexual assault of a schoolgirl in Llandudno.

In 2009, he met Heidi Mahon, now 32, in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

At first, he was kind to her, and the couple had a baby. But Moore’s behaviour became increasingly controlling – and after Heidi discovered the horrific truth about his past, he subjected her to a terrifying and violent rape.

She learned that in December 1995 Moore, then 44 and living at Gogarth Road, Llandudno, had been jailed for ten years after he and a woman were found guilty at Caernarfon Crown Court of the rape and indecent assault of a schoolgirl.

Yesterday, Moore, whose most recent address was Pellowe Road, Oldham, showed no remorse as he was jailed for 12 years after a jury found him guilty of rape, wounding and assault.

It followed a 10-day trial during which Heidi was forced to testify. After the hearing, Heidi, from Oldham, bravely waived her anonymity to speak of her ordeal – and encourage other victims of sexual and domestic abuse to seek help.

Andrew Moore

She said: “I feel strange about the sentence, both relieved and sad because I really did love him and in a way I still do. I did consider dropping the charges a few times but with support from the domestic violence team and police I carried on.

“It was the thought of protecting other women and girls that helped me carry on, I couldn’t stand the thought of others suffering. Going through the trial was horrendous, I’m just glad it’s over.”

She said after they met Moore started spiralling into cocaine addiction and when she had his baby, who has since been taken into care, she moved out and tried to pull her life together. But soon afterwards, Moore got back in touch.

Heidi said: “It was out of the blue. He was so nice again, sweet and caring, he persuaded me to get back together with him.”

It was only when she tried to arrange with social services for Moore to see their child that she discovered the horrific truth. She said: “Social services told me about his convictions. I was horrified – I’d had no idea. It was terrible. He had hidden it all from me.”

When she confronted Moore, he lied about the extent of what he’d done – and insisted he’d changed.

Heidi was unable to free herself from his control and their on-off relationship continued until this January, fuelled by drink and drugs, Moore raped Heidi.

When weeks later she confronted him again, he went on a rampage.

Moore pushed her to the ground and punched her in the face, before grabbing a knife from the kitchen, cutting her, and trying to strangle her. Her injuries were so severe she spent a night in Oldham Hospital. Even as a neighbour called police, Moore told her: “You’re lucky I’ve not done worse – I’ll kill you next time.”

Heidi added: “I had such low self esteem which is why he was able to control me.

“I was absolutely horrified when I found out about his sexual offence convictions, he had hidden it so well, it didn’t seem to be the man I knew.

“Now if a man makes a sudden movement I jump and I still get flashbacks.

“During the hearing I felt violated and degraded all over again.

“I think other women should come forward if they have been a victim of rape or violence. Men like him need to be put away so other women are out of harm’s way. This is something that will live with me forever.”

Sentencing Moore at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Mushta Khokar spoke of Moore’s past offences and the sordid fantasies he revealed to Miss Mahon, and said: “It seems to me you present a danger to members of the public.”

Defending Moore, his counsel Caroline Patrick said he had adhered to a sexual offender’s programme after his release.

She accepted he showed no remorse for his crimes. Moore was jailed for 12 years, with three extended years on licence.